Driving School Rules & Procedures

DRIVER’S MEETINGDRIVER’S MEETINGS ARE MANDATORY. ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED OR YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED ON TRACK. SATURDAY’S MEETING IS USUALLY AT 7:30 A.M.

HPDE, NOT OPEN TRACK OR RACINGAggressive driving will be closely monitored and discouraged. Event stewards are in constant communication with corner workers and will utilize black flags to ensure everyone’s safety on track

PASSINGPassing in instructed groups (Green, Yellow, Blue) is only allowed in designated passing zones, generally straights capable of allowing two or more passes before the next braking zone. The side on which to pass will be determined by the event stewards (usually offline) and will be announced at the morning driver’s meeting or in your event packet. In the non-instructed groups (Red, White) passing is allowed anywhere with a point. The car being passed (in any group) initiates the pass with a clear point-by – one car at a time. Failure to follow the passing rules will result in a black flag, numerous failures will result in expulsion from the event

OFFS OR SPINSCrisis management is one of the 1st things you’ll have to learn on track. Should you find yourself ‘in over your head’, your first priority is to come to a controlled and safe stop. If possible, drive straight off and bring the car to a controlled stop, preferably in view of a corner worker station. Wait for the corner worker’s indication that it is safe to re-enter the track. If you find yourself out of control, go both-feet-in (clutch in, brake in). Do not try to ‘save’ the car – it will generally lead to the exact opposite effect. After any loss of control (on or off-track), or ‘four wheels off’, you must pit in and let the grid marshal check your vehicle over for any safety issues. He will also make sure You are OK; he will then let you back on track. Failure to pit in will result in a black flag and an extended debriefing.

TWO OFF RULETHSCC has always had a two-off rule. This means that two ‘loss-of-control’ incidents in one day warrant us ‘parking’ you for the rest of the day. If circumstances warrant, we reserve the right to park you for the weekend. You are not penalized for doing the right thing when you get in over your head by driving straight off track, in a controlled manner, safely and re-entering the track safely.

MECHANICAL BREAK-DOWNSif your car has a mechanical issue that has severely slowed you down, drive off-line and display the pit-in signal (raised fist high above the driver’s window) and proceed to pit-in. If you cannot proceed, pull off the track, off line, and in view of a manned worker station if possible. Stay in your car. If you are out of the way, you’ll probably have to wait for the end of the session. If you are in a dangerous position, we will black flag the session to get you out of the way, and then proceed as time allows. If you encounter a disabled car, displaying the pit-in signal, and clearly off-speed, it is OK to pass that car.

RUN GROUP OVERVIEW

GREEN – BEGINNER/NOVICEThis group is composed of drivers who are usually just starting out with on-track performance driving, or who may have two or three events under their belts, but may be on a particular track for the first time. Instruction is geared towards becoming comfortable driving your car at speed in an environment most people aren’t familiar with. Lots of ‘street’ habits must be unlearned here. Basic high-performance driving techniques are introduced as well as traffic management and general on-track awareness and protocol. Passing zones are limited to keep things simple.

YELLOW – INTERMEDIATEThis group is composed of those drivers who have moved out of the ‘just starting out’ phase and are becoming more and more comfortable with traffic. This is where drivers really develop their own personal style and technique. More advanced techniques are introduced here. Passing zones still limited, with maybe more added if the track layout allows.

BLUE – ADVANCED INSTRUCTEDThis group is composed of students who want to continue to learn and improve their technique through in-car instruction. Some drivers may have just graduated from the intermediate level; others will have chosen to stay in blue group to learn new techniques and/or to get coaching with respect to specific areas of concern. Passing zones limited to approved zones, but as the track allows, will be extended.

RED – ADVANCED SOLOThis group is composed of drivers who have advanced through the ranks of numerous HPDE programs and have a wide range of experience on different tracks. These drivers have demonstrated a high level of skill in technique, traffic management, and crisis management. New attendees must provide references from previous event stewards or instructors to determine eligibility for Red group. Passing may be unlimited with a point-by depending on track layout.

WHITE – INSTRUCTOR GROUPThis group is composed of most of the instructors for the event. Very liberal passing zones to account for varying speed differentials. Passing may be unlimited with a point-by depending on track layout.

GENERAL PROTOCOLS

DO NOT INITIATE A PASS IF SOMEONE IN FRONT OF YOU IS PITTING

DO NOT FLASH YOUR LIGHTS, OR HONK YOUR HORN, TO TRY TO INITIATE A PASS

IF YOU CATCH A SLOWER CAR, AND HE/SHE APPEARS TO NOT NOTICE YOU, PULL OUT TO MAKE SURE THEY SEE YOU IN THEIR MIRROR, AND WAIT FOR THE NEXT PASSING ZONE. YOU MUST WAIT FOR A PASSING SIGNAL!

IF YOU HAVE GOTTEN BEHIND A LINE OF SLOWER CARS, PIT AND ASK THE PIT-OUT WORKER FOR MORE SPACE. IF THERE SEEMS TO BE A PARTICULAR CAR THAT IS NOT GIVING PASSING SIGNALS, LET THE GRID MARSHAL KNOW ABOUT IT

IF A SMALLER, LIGHTER CAR HAS CAUGHT YOUR BIG HIGH HOREPOWER V8 MUSCLE CAR IN THE TURNS, HE/SHE WILL CATCH YOU AGAIN IN THE NEXT SET OF TURNS. PLEASE BE COURTEOUS AND LET THEM BY

ALWAYS THANK AND ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR CORNER WORKERS BY GIVING THEM A WAVE OR A THUMBS-UP ON YOUR COOL-DOWN LAP

SAFETY PROTOCOLS, HPDE

ALL CONVERTIBLES MUST HAVE AN SCCA APPROVED 4-PT ROLL BAR. TUBING AND WALL THICKNESS MUST MEET SPEC BASED ON THE WEIGHT OF THE CAR (AND NOTED ON THE ANNUAL INSPECTION FORM). THE ONLY EXCEPTION TO DATE IS THE USE OF A BREY-KRAUSE ROLL-HOOP EXTENSION IN PORSCHE BOXTERS.) SFI CERTIFIED PADDING MUST BE USED ANYWHERE A HELMET (DRIVER AND PASSENGER) COULD CONCEIVABLY IMPACT THE BAR. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO DENY THE USE OF ANY ROLL BAR IF WE DEEM ITS INSTALLATION UNSAFE.

HARNESS BARS MAY BE USED, BUT THEY CANNOT BE THE MOUNTING POINT OF THE HARNESSES. THEY CAN ONLY SERVE AS A GUIDE TO ENSURE PROPER ALIGNMENT WITH RELATION TO THE SHOULDERS AND TO ENSURE THEY CANNOT SLIDE OFF THE SHOULDERS. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO DENY THE USE OF ANY HARNESS BAR IF WE DEEM ITS INSTALLATION UNSAFE.

HARNESSES MAY BE USED, BUT THEY MUST BE OF THE 5 OR 6 POINT TYPE, NO ‘Y’ TYPE OF ANY KIND. THEY MUST BE PROPERLY INSTALLED, AND THEY MUST NOT BE DAMAGED, ANY FRAYING OR CUTS IN THE MATERIAL RENDER THEM UNUSABLE. DOT APPROVED 4-POINT HARNESSES WILL BE ALLOWED AT THE DESCRETION OF THE TECH STEWARDS.

HELMETS MUST MEET A SNELL RATING OF ‘SA’ AND MUST BE RATED SA2010,OR SAH2010. WE NO LONGER ACCEPT ‘M’ RATED HELMETS, OR HELMETS WITH A SNELL RATING OLDER THAN 2010. WE HAVE A VERY LIMITED NUMBER OF LOANER HELMETS FOR FIRST TIME DRIVERS; HOWEVER THEY MUST BE REQUESTED AT TIME OF REGISTRATION. WE CANNOT GUARANTEE THEIR AVAILABILITY AT EVENT CHECK-IN.

THSCC EMPLOYS PROFESSIONAL CORNER WORKERS AND PIT-OUT PERSONEL AT EVERY VENUE. THIS IS TO ENSURE CONSITENCY AND SAFETY. WE MONITOR ALL RADIO COMMUNICATIONS, AND WE UTILIZE THE CORNER WORKERS TO HELP US KEEP UNSAFE DRIVING OUT OF OUR EVENTS

ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT AND FIRE/RESCUE ARE ALSO AT EVERY VENUE. IN THE EVENT THEY MUST LEAVE THE FACILITY, THE EVENT WILL BE HALTED UNTIL THEY ARE BACK ON SITE.

WE PURCHASE A $100,000 SUPPLEMENTAL MEDICAL COVERAGE POLICY THAT COVERS THE ENTIRE EVENT. THIS WOULD KICK IN AFTER YOUR PERSONAL POLICY IN THE EVENT IT WAS NEEDED. IT DOES NOT HOWEVER, COVER ANY PROPERTY DAMAGE. PLEASE REVIEW YOUR AUTO AND HEALTH INSURANCE POLICIES TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE COVERED.

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE TO THE TRACK FACILITIES OR ANY HOST VENUE RULES VIOLATIONS. THIS IS REGARDLESS OF HOW THE DAMAGED OCCURRED. IF THE TRACK BILLS US, WE’LL BILL YOU IN RETURN.

OUR PHILOSOPHY

Our biggest objective in hosting these events is that after every session, after every day, and after every event, you will have a huge grin on your face that lasts for days. We want our events to be educational, challenging, exhilarating, but above all else, fun. Of course, we want you to be safe as well. We want you to be able to leave in the same general condition as you arrived (you and your car), although quite a bit worn out. You should never be unhappy out there, or stressed. Use the opportunity to forget about all the problems at work… listen to the sounds of the engines at full song, inhale the aromas of hot rubber, race gas, and highly exercised brake pads. Walk around the paddock and get to know your fellow track junkies. Take it all in…